Boys Volleyball Playoffs: Camarillo will look out for No. 1

There are advantages that accompany earning the top seed in postseason, says Camarillo High boys volleyball coach Rob Vandermay.

There also is a decided challenge: Now you’ve got to play like No. 1.

“You’ve got to bring it every match,” Vandermay says. “You don’t hang any banners in the gym for being the top seed. You don’t get any rings.”

Camarillo finished the regular season at 25-5-1, including 10-0 in winning the Pacific View League championship, and was awarded the top seed in Division 3 with the release of the CIF-Southern Section playoff pairings for boys volleyball on Saturday.

The Scorpions are hoping that every 10 years becomes the charm. Camarillo won its only Southern Section title in boys volleyball back in 2003.

“They only point I make to the players is that I’ve been there. I know what it takes to win a CIF championship,” Vandermay said. “It’s about being prepared and playing at a high level every match. You can’t be nervous and tense. You can’t have an off-night.”

The top-seeded Scorpions will open the playoffs Tuesday night at home against Paraclete, the third-place entry from the Alpha League at 17-13. The match begins at 7 p.m.

Vandermay said the biggest advantage to being the top seed lies in the matchups. The earliest the Scorpions could encounter a top-four seed is No. 4 Hemet in the semifinals.

While Camarillo is the region’s only seeded entry, nine other area teams launch play in the postseason this week. Eight squads play first-round matches Tuesday, including four from the Marmonte League.

Five-time Marmonte champion Westlake and second-place Thousand Oaks draw home games in the uber-tough Division 1 playoffs. Westlake (22-6) plays host to Saugus (9-5) and Thousand Oaks (26-7) is home against Irvine (13-10).